Candle canopy

ABSTRACT

An ornamental light fixture comprising an aritficial light in combination with a canopy comprising a plurality of colored, substantially hemispherically shaped elements mounted on flexible wire supports of varying lengths. The wire supports are attached to a base which is adapted to hold or retain an artificial light source. The smooth undersurface of the elements in combination with the convex outersurface of the elements causes the light rays from the artificial source to refract and diffuse through the elements in such a manner as to create a translucent or glowing effect in each of the separate elements.

Unite States Patent Beaudin July 17, 1973 1 1 CANDLE CANOPY 3,018,362 1/1962 Joyce 240/10 R 3,ll5,3l0 l2 l963 H f 1 240 81 LD X [76] Inventor: F Lmise Baht 3,259.740 7i1966 B rii b iiilm 24 0/lO R x Vista, Sarasota County, Fla. 33580 [22] Filed: June 23, 1971 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerE. M. Hero [2]] Appl' 155317 Attorney-Stefan M. Stein 52 US. Cl. 240 10 R, 240 10 P, 240 8] LD, 1 540/106 [57 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. F2lp 1/02 An rnamental light fixture comprising an aritficial Field of Search 240/10 1 10 81 light in combination with a canopy comprising a plural- 240/1O ity of colored, substantially hemispherically shaped ele- 4135 4659 ments mounted on flexible wire supports of varying lengths. The wire supports are attached to a base which [56] Refer n s Cit is adapted to hold or retain an artificial light source.

UNITED STATES PATENTS The smooth undersurface of the elements in combina- 1 566 502 12/1925 Palmer 240/10 P tit) with the Convex Outetsuttace of the elements 2:9[6:608 |2/1959 Brown 2210/10 p causes the light rays from the artificial source to refract 3.174.688 3/1965 Chatten... 240/10 R X and diffuse through the elements in such a manner as 3,167,257 1/1965 Harper 1 240/10 R to create a translucent or glowing effect in each of the l,Ol4,46O l/l9l2 Giroux 240/10 R X separate elements, 2,429,379 lO/l947 Swain 240/10 R 2.744.192 5/1956 Rosenthal 240/103 R X 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures l 4 I6 |o d I E y y j y y j 12 :2 l2

I6 y D Q y I) I y y 3 l2 4 y j J y l2 j Patented July 17, 1973 0 F00 a 0A Q Q!!! 'QQ \\\III Illlll/ INVENTOR. MARY LBEAUDIN ATTORNEY.

CANDLE CANOPY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an ornamental light fixture. More specifically, this invention relates to the combination of an artificial light source with a plurality of substantially hemispherically shaped elements so constructed and placed relative to the light source as to give a unique glowing effect to the plurality of elements.

2. Description of the Prior Art The use of artificial light has evolved from the early use of candles and the development of the first incandescent light bulb to the use of fluorescent and mercury vapor lighting. Today the application of artificial light to various uses in the home, office, and industry, indoors and outdoors, has become a science. Accompanying the development and application of artificial light sources have been innumerable efforts to enchance the appearance of these light sources through the use of various fixtures and embodiments from floor lamps to table lamps and from chandeliers to recessed lighting.

A review of the existing art reveals that the creativeness of inventors to improve the effectiveness and ornamental appeal of these light sources is unlimited. For example, a number of devices show a light refracting fixture having faceted pendants which in combination with a light source form a refracting fixture giving a crystal-like appearance to the pendants.

Shades of various sizes, shapes and colors are often used to reduce the direct glare of the light sources and give an ornamental touch to the fixture. Typically, these shades are cylindrically shaped and adapted to enclose the light-source. Other shades are formed from a canopy of flowers or like subject matter to form a shell or shade.

Other elaborate devices have been constructed to create a unique effect such as where the light source, particularly where the light source is a candle, is used to drive some wheel or like figure by the passage of hot air as it rises past the wheel or like figure. The surfaces of these figures and wheels are often reflective to give additional ornamental appeal.

Thus the numerous combinations of ornamental fixtures with the various artificial light sources in creating unique and attractive lighting effects appears unlimited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for creating a unique translucent effect from an artificial light source. As previously discussed because of varying tastes in esthetic appeal there have been innumerable attempts to create attractive and appealing light fixtures. As can be seen from a review of these efforts these creative attempts often take the form of varying the size, shape, and color of ornamental shade-like devices in combination with various artificial light sources.

The present invention combines the unique effect created by the particular ornamental elements developed by the inventor in combination with an artificial light source to create a new and appealing light furnish- In accomplishing the above effect, the present invention includes a canopy comprising a plurality of substantially hemispherically shaped elements made of molded polystyrene plastic. A polystyrene resin is cast in a rough textured, unpolished mold. This causes the convex outer surface to be rough and matted giving it a frosted, opaque finish while the flat undersurface of the elements has a smooth, glossy finish.

These elements are individually mounted on flexible wire supports of different lengths. These wire supports are arranged around the periphery of a substantially flat base which is adapted to hold or retain an artificial light source. In this manner the plurality of elements, in combination, form a canopy or shade over the light source.

When the artificial light source is illuminated, its light rays pass upward through the glossy undersurface of the elements. The hemispheric shape causes the rays to reflect, refract, and diffuse as they pass through the elements. in such a manner as to create a translucent or glowing effect within the elements.

By the combination of these unique elements with an artificial light source, the inventor has created a new and novel ornamental light fixture.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the candle canopy.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the base with a candle as the artificial light source.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the base with an incandescent bulb used as the artificial light source.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a single element interconnected to the base taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section schematic view of the light rays passing through an element.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention, generally indicated at 10, comprises a plurality of substantially hemispherically shaped elements 12 interconnected to base means 14 by connection means in the form of wire supports 16.

As best seen in FIG. 4 elements 12 are mounted individually on separate wire supports 16. Due to the manner in which elements 12 are cast the flat undersurface 18 has a smooth, glossy finish, in contrast the convex outersurface 20 has a frosted, opaque finish. Alternatively the convex outersurface may be smooth.

As best seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 base means 14 comprises a substantially flat circular shaped member including a mounting means 22 which is adapted to hold an artificial light source. The mounting means itself comprises a hollow cylinder 23 which may be made from a transparent or translucent material such as glass or plastic and which is positioned in the center of base 14. Referring specifically to FIG. 2 the light source is in the form of a candle 26 positioned within hollow cylinder 23 and operative relation to the elements 12 as will be explained hereinafter. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the light source is in the form of an electric bulb 28. With this embodiment a conventional electric socket is formed in the bottom of hollow cylinder 23 and is connected to an electric conductor 25 having a plug 27 adapted to be connected to any conventional outlet.

A plurality of apertures 24 are formed in a substantially annular configuration on the top periphery of base 14. These apertures are provided to have wire supports 16 mounted therein such that elements 12 may be supported from these supports. The apertures themselves may be arranged in any desired configuration to accomplish a predetermined arrangement of the elements relative to the light source. The elements themselves form a canopy or shade by positioning wire supports 16 each of which may have varying lengths at different angles 30 with respect to the horizontal surface of base 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. It should be apparent that the juxtaposition of the elements 12 in the different lengths of support 16 may be varied to find any desired outline or configuration of the canopy formed by the plurality of the elements arranged relative to the light source.

With reference to FIG. it can be seen light rays emanating from the artificial light source pass upward through the glossy underside 18 of elements 12. The hemispheric shape of elements 12 causes the rays to reflect, refract and diffuse shown as lines 15, 17 and 19 respectively, as they pass through elements 12 in such a manner as to create a novel translucent or glowing effect within the elements.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features herein described, all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:

1. An ornamental light fixture comprising: base means for supporting said fixture on a supporting surface, a plurality of discrete solid ornamental elements arranged inspaced relation relative to each other and interconnected to said base means by connecting means, said connecting means comprising a plurality of wire supports equal in number to said ornamental elements, each said wire supports extending outward from said base means such that each said ornamental element is attached individually to said base means by a corresponding wire support, a mounting means formed on said base means, a light source mounted on said base means by said mounting means, said wire supports arranged around the periphery of said base means and attached to said base means at various angles relative to said base means; said wire supports being of different lengths such that said elements are fixed at different distances from said light source, and wherein the plurality of elements cooperatively define a canopy over said light source, said canopy having a configuration defined by the angular and linear displacement of said elements relative to said base; each of said ornamental elements comprises a substantially hemispherical configuration including a substantially flat inner portion attached to said wire support and a substantially convex outer portion; said plurality of discrete ornamental elements being arranged in spaced relation to each other and to said light source whereby light from said light source impinges directly on the inner portion of each of said elements such that light emanating from said light source passes through said flat portion and onto the inner surface of said convex portion.

,2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said base means comprises a substantially flat, circular shaped base.

3. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a substantially hollow cylinder formed on said base and extending upwardly therefrom, and said light source comprises a candle retained by said hollow cylinder whereby said candle is disposed between said base and said elements.

4. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a socket attached to said base at the approximate center thereof, and wherein said light source comprises a light bulb.

5. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said convex portion is substantially rough and said flat portion is substantially smooth. 

1. An ornamental light fixture comprising: base means for supporting said fixture on a supporting surface, a plurality of discrete solid ornamental elements arranged in spaced relation relative to each other and interconnected to said base means by connecting means, said connecting means comprising a plurality of wire supports equal in number to said ornamental elements, each said wire supports extending outward from said base means such that each said ornamental element is attached individually to said base means by a corresponding wire support, a mounting means formed on said base means, a light source mounted on said base means by said mounting means, said wire supports arranged around the periphery of said base means and attached to said base means at various angles relative to said base means; said wire supports being of different lengths such that said elements are fixed at different distances from said light source, and wherein the plurality of elements cooperatively define a canopy over said light source, said canopy having a configuration defined by the angular and linear displacement of said elements relative to said base; each of said ornamental elements comprises a substantially hemispherical configuration including a substantially flat inner portion attached to said wire support and a substantially convex outer portion; said plurality of discrete ornamental elements being arranged in spaced relation to each other and to said light source whereby light from said light source impinges directly on the inner portion of each of said elements such that light emanating from said light source passes through said flat portion and onto the inner surface of said convex portion.
 2. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said base means comprises a substaNtially flat, circular shaped base.
 3. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a substantially hollow cylinder formed on said base and extending upwardly therefrom, and said light source comprises a candle retained by said hollow cylinder whereby said candle is disposed between said base and said elements.
 4. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a socket attached to said base at the approximate center thereof, and wherein said light source comprises a light bulb.
 5. The fixture of claim 1 wherein said convex portion is substantially rough and said flat portion is substantially smooth. 